Professional_Tool_And_Equipment_News_May_2019 - 54

The right (diagnostic)
tool for the job

Code readers, scan tools, and crossover products all have a place in the shop.

By Scott Weaver, Contributing Editor
gonzosae@aol.com

hese days, the scanner is less likely to be a standalone tool in the repair
shop. Now it is integrated into the front office and the customer's
invoice. Today's technician is asked to provide much more than a
clean bill of health to the customer - he or she must also present a
well-documented repair order that shows and tells all.
Reading the codes from a tool and
other than "0," such as a "1" or "2," etc. A
describing the results to the customer is
generic code is a good place to start, and
only a small part of a repair transaction.
in most cases that's where the capabilities
As we have all heard more than once,
of a lot of the low-end code readers end.
"codes don't fix cars." But it's a good
Some may offer a short explanation as far
place to start. The real issue is, just how
as the description of the code, but I've not
important are those codes? Can you get
seen many that can offer real diagnosan accurate repair evaluation just by
tic information, other than just a basic
reading a code number and the descripgeneric code name or a short version of
tion from a handheld code reader?
the code description.
First, let's first get our facts straight.
Code readers are popping up everyA code reader is not a scanner, and that
where. They are very inexpensive, small
teenage kid at the parts store that leaps
and compact, and are generally very
reliable in performing the duties they
over the counter like a gazelle with a code
reader in his hand is normally not the
are programmed for. But, be aware they
have limitations.
most highly-trained technician. By the
time the customer reaches the shop, he
David Bradley, senior product cateor she will have that little print-out with
gory manager for automotive at Harbor
the code numbers on it, along with a list
Freight Tools, says, "As vehicles become
of parts they have just purchased from
more sophisticated, so do the repair
the same youngster at the parts store. All
requirements for those vehicles. While
of this is based on the fact that a certain
many of the basic diagnostic repairs can
part was mentioned in the description
be researched using a code reader, the
of the said code. This is where the sepamore challenging repairs will require a
ration between code reading and code
scanner with good aftermarket vehicle
evaluation begins.
coverage to determine the repairs that
Instead of dwelling on the characterare necessary."
While a code reader can help techniistics of the person reading and interpreting the code, let's take a look at the
cians resesarch basic diagnostic issues,
differences between a code reader and
more challenging repairs will typically
a scanner, and how both are important.
require a scanner with additional features and aftermarket vehicle coverage.
CODE READERS
The return on investment associA basic code reader typically only supated with a code readers will largely
depend on how many diagnostic jobs
ports generic trouble codes. Those are
a shop encounters regularly, and the
codes that have a first numeric digit of
amount charged for the services. The
"0." If a code is specific to one manufacturer, the first digit will be something
cost to maintain and/or update the tool

PTEN

MAY 2019

www.VehicleServicePros.com

as new procedures are developed is also
something to take into consideration.
In general, the cost of a code reader may
come in anywhere between $100 and
$1,000, with most code readers falling
in the $300 to $400 range. Prospective
buyers should consider variations on
the tool as well, as some are wireless,
some are pc-based updatable, and still
other code readers work directly with
your smartphone.
So, why would a professional shop
want to invest in a more basic product
to do the work of the expensive scanner with all the bells and whistles on
it? That's easy - speed. Let's say it's an
early morning and the cars are starting to pile up at the front door. How are
you going to sort out which cars should
go to which technician, and which car
needs to be checked on the scanner for
further diagnostics (we're assuming they
are not DOA or a repair issue unrelated
to code retrieval)? It's simple, check the
codes first. Send out your latest fry cook
graduate with the code reader and see
what you find out. Call it 'triage' for the
repair shop.
I asked Autel's Michael Flink, commercial sales manager and trainer for
North America, about comparing cost
to functions, and this is what he said:
"Where cost is a concern, obviously
the OE scanners are out. To be able to
diagnose [2010 and newer] vehicles will
require a top level aftermarket scanner."
He continues, "While they will not
"need" to go as far as one with programming features, they are still going
to need all the bidirectional controls
and special tests. In most brands this
will be one step below their top tool.
Dropping down to mid-level scan-

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